---
title: "Up close and personal: photographer captures joys and struggles of SA’s born-free generation"
description: "Ilvy Njiokiktjien’s exhibition at the Apartheid Museum explores the journeys of those born near apartheid’s ending three decades ago, meticulously documenting their daily lives since 2007."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "EXHIBITION"
author: "Kerry Simpson"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/kerry-simpson/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-09-27-up-close-and-personal-photographer-captures-joys-and-struggles-of-sas-born-free-generation/"
published: "2024-09-27T13:55:52"
updated: "2024-09-27T13:28:51"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 259
---

# Up close and personal: photographer captures joys and struggles of SA’s born-free generation

> Ilvy Njiokiktjien’s exhibition at the Apartheid Museum explores the journeys of those born near apartheid’s ending three decades ago, meticulously documenting their daily lives since 2007.

By Kerry Simpson · Published 27 September 2024, 15:55 SAST · Updated 27 September 2024, 15:28 SAST

## Key points
- In a captivating collaboration between the Apartheid Museum, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the Netherlands embassy, the Born Free: Generation of Hope exhibition by Dutch photographer Ilvy Njiokiktjien delves into the lives of South Africa's first post-apartheid generation, showcasing their struggles, triumphs, and the ongoing quest for true equality and justice.
- Apartheid Museum celebrates 30 years of SA democracy with Born Free: Generation of Hope photo exhibition by Dutch photographer Ilvy Njiokiktjien, exploring lives of first post-apartheid generation.
- Curated by celebrated SA photographer Neo Ntsoma and Azu Nwagbogu, exhibition delves into journey of born frees, facing socioeconomic disparities while embracing cultural shifts and social activism.
- Njiokiktjien's intimate documentation of born frees' lives since 2007 highlights struggles and joys, forming collaborative project with the generation, reflecting their daily experiences.
- Ntsoma and Nwagbogu add personal and broader African perspectives to exhibition, sparking national conversation on shared humanity and dreams for SA's born-free generation.

## Content

In recognition of three decades of South Africa’s democracy, the Apartheid Museum partnered with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Netherlands embassy to present Born Free: Generation of Hope, a photographic exhibition by Dutch photographer Ilvy Njiokiktjien in which she explores the lives of South Africa’s first generation born from the early 1990s, just as apartheid was ending.

The exhibition is curated by South African photographer Neo Ntsoma and Azu Nwagbogu, the founder of the LagosPhoto Festival and the African Artists’ Foundation.

![Jason Noah (21), who grew up middle class, arrives at a nightclub in Pretoria to celebrate his 21st. He has been successful as a foreign exchange trader (2018).](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/9tdACbYGM-9YU684MlWrHjBkz5c=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Press-kit-Born-Free-highress-005.jpg)

*Jason Noah (21), who grew up middle class, arrives at a nightclub in Pretoria to celebrate his 21st. He has been successful as a foreign exchange trader (2018).*

![Bulisani Dube (25) of the Twelve Apostles Church includes the ailing and hospitalised Nelson Mandela in his prayers on a hillside above Yeoville, which overlooks downtown Johannesburg (2013).](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Ai2Ayk2FlnHxQzbB3sG5lIINDks=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Press-kit-Born-Free-highress-003.jpg)

*Bulisani Dube (25) of the Twelve Apostles Church includes the ailing and hospitalised Nelson Mandela in his prayers on a hillside above Yeoville, which overlooks downtown Johannesburg (2013).*

![Innocent Moreku (22) on an evening out in Pretoria (2018).](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/AGhJS5WVsnWVQtQlpKRgRpuWNM0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Press-kit-Born-Free-highress-008.jpg)

*Innocent Moreku (22) on an evening out in Pretoria (2018).*

![Students at Tom Naudé High School in Polokwane walk from one classroom to the next between lessons (2012).](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/KMynDWGm4Vs4QXf2z_1dpSUuleg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Press-kit-Born-Free-highress-002.jpg)

*Students at Tom Naudé High School in Polokwane walk from one classroom to the next between lessons (2012).*

![People order drinks at the bar at the Pirates Bowling Club in Johannesburg. One of the bands playing that night was Desmond and the Tutus (2018).](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Aa5YzISg9Ge0QhcnUF7X1pMHuiY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Press-kit-Born-Free-highress-006.jpg)

*People order drinks at the bar at the Pirates Bowling Club in Johannesburg. One of the bands playing that night was Desmond and the Tutus (2018).*

![Couple Ofentse Sean Lewis (left) and Sipho Lewis Maestro Azzuro sit on the Nelson Mandela bridge in Johannesburg.](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ja4SG_XKC-WEK6o-31U5O-AW-A0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Press-kit-Born-Free-highress-007.jpg)

*Couple Ofentse Sean Lewis (left) and Sipho Lewis Maestro Azzuro sit on the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg. DM*

*Born Free: Generation of Hope runs until 31 March 2025 at the [Apartheid Museum](https://www.apartheidmuseum.org/). The museum is open from 9am to 5pm from Wednesday to Sunday and on public holidays.*

*This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.*

![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cover-21092024-1.jpg)